Fun Times in 4th Grade!

Well hello there. We had an awesome day today!! As you can see in the video below, my reading class got to the chapter in the book about the three legged race at the birthday party. In order for them to really understand this chapter/race I took them outside and allowed them to play it for themselves. After the video, we discussed the strategies that worked and did not work. We learned very quickly that hopping did NOT work, OUCH! We learned that saying left, right, left, right or counting worked very well. We also learned that staying close to our partner also helped out. I still heard some owes here and there, but most of them got it. Yay!! Just so you know, I did offer a sock to those that did not have one, but they declined. :0( So, so fun and so, so funny to laugh with kids!!

Today at character circle meeting we talked about the fact that being a student is their first job. We talked about all of the things that this job included like: being responsible, learning, growing, preparing for their future. The one thing that I pointed out is that in every job they do for the rest of their lives they will always have this job too. You are always a student. Even as a teacher, I am a student. For example, I just learned that a peal is a ringing sound. Who knew?? Talk about this again tonight and write the words, School is Important in your child's planner to earn an extra $50 tomorrow.

About twice a year, I offer parent homework. Now is one of those times. It is so important that kids know how much they are valued and loved by those that take care of them. I would like for you to write your child a letter and actually mail it to your child at school. Not only is it super cool to get real live mail at school, it is something they will read over and over again. Please mail it to 1801 Bench Blvd, Billings, MT, 59105 Attn: Ms. Erickson's Class. Address it to them of course. I will make sure that they get it during our CC meetings. If you do this, I will award $500 to your child as well. Just make sure that the letter is 100% positive! Nothing they need to work on, just the reasons you love them and are proud of them for. Yay!! Earn an extra $500 by writing another one to me telling me how being in my class has changed your child at school or at home. Remember, positive only! :0)

We have two field trips coming up. One is November 3rd to the Alberta Baer theater and the other one is on the 25th of October to the Yellowstone Detention Center. The reason we go there is to tie in our Drug Free Week Studies. In the past, this has been extremely powerful. It is real to the kids and it makes a difference to see where people that choose a life of drugs and alcohol end up. The officers do an awesome job of making it real but age appropriate. A lot of discussion will happen all week long and the kids will be well prepared for the tour. We will have many guest speakers that week along with videos and youtubes. This is one of my favorite weeks in the school year. It is all about character building and making good choices in the future. Watch for the jail permission slip to go home this Friday with the grade reports.

There is no writing again tonight. We ran out of time in math today, so homework had to go home tonight for everyone. NO ONE had time to work on it in class. It is subtraction review/practice so all should go well and not need a lot of parental help. I did notice that were six books left on the shelf. I only had one student absent. OOPS!! Money spent. Oh wait, make that five. Way to go to a solution Cameron by coming back!!!! Yay!!! Wonder what the others will do for a solution????

LIBRARY is tomorrow. Please help kids get their books back in their backpacks tonight.

New book orders went home today. They are due back Oct. 28th. You can order online again. I will post how tomorrow on the blog. Kids earn $200 per book ordered. Remember, no cash please. This is optional!!

Have a super evening!